MATCH SCORES
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - Augustana women's tennis closed out another outstanding regular season with a win over region opponent Nebraska-Kearney 6-1. The Vikings own an 18-2 record at the conclusion of their regular season matches while the Lopers pick up their sixth loss of the season and enter their regular season finale with a n 18-6 mark.
Augustana opened the match taking two of the three doubles matches to put them on the right path to a crucial region victory.
Katie Jesperson and
Michelle Wadas teamed up at the top doubles flight and using Jesperson's baseline prowess mixed with Wadas' quick hands at the net to win 8-4.
Jessa Richards and
Hannah Gebauer continued their domination at No. 2 doubles winning easily 8-2. The lone setback for the Vikings on the day was when
Heather Sullivan and
Jenna Helleberg were narrowly upended by Nebraska-Kearny at the No. 3 doubles flight, 8-6.
Jesperson battled Vanessa Gunawan in a tight first set at No. 1 singles but registered a huge break when tied 4-all and served to take the first set, 6-4. Jesperson then overpowered Gunawan in set two and took the match 6-4, 6-2 to give the Vikings their third win of the day.
At No. 2 singles, Richards coasted to another straight-victory, like she is wont to do. The talented freshman buried her opponent 6-1, 6-2, getting the Vikings one match closer to a key region victory.
Early in the third singles match, Wadas appeared to be in an insurmountable hole after surrendering two breaks and down 4-1. Wadas didn't roll over and broke back twice and tied the first set 5-5 and won the final two games to win 7-5 in the first. She then dropped the second set 6-3 but finished her opponent in the third-set super-tiebreaker 10-5.
Gebauer dominated the No. 4 singles match to give the Vikings their sixth match win with a scores of 6-1, 6-0. Sullivan took the first set 6-3 at No. 5 singles but the match would go unfinished and Augustana won 6-1 in the team score.
The Vikings now prepare for the NSIC Tournament in Minnetonka, Minn. where they earned the No. 1 seed with their 12-0 record in conference competition.
